GOVERNOR Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has assured supporters that the Accord Party will participate in the Aug. 15, 2026 governorship election despite a Federal High Court judgment ordering its deregistration alongside four other political parties.
Speaking at the flag-off of his re-election campaign in Osogbo on Tuesday, Adeleke said the court ruling would not affect his bid for a second term, insisting that all lawful measures were being pursued to secure the party’s continued participation in the election.
“Let me start by assuring you all: Accord will be on the ballot; your votes will count; and I will be re-elected as your governor on Aug. 15,” he said.
The governor said the party remained committed to defending its constitutional rights and urged members and supporters to intensify mobilisation efforts across the state.
“All lawful means are being deployed to sustain and retain our rights to vote and be voted for. We will not bow to dark forces; we remain courageous, and we shall again be victorious by the special grace of God,” Adeleke added.
He maintained that Accord remained a duly registered political party and stressed that the rule of law and democratic principles must prevail.
Adeleke also welcomed defectors from the All Progressives Congress (APC), assuring them of equal opportunities within the party. He further reaffirmed his support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
Meanwhile, the Accord Party in Oyo State has rejected the Federal High Court judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister Accord, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Action Alliance (AA), Allied Peoples Party (APP) and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja had ruled on Monday that the parties be deregistered for failing to secure the constitutional threshold of 25 per cent of votes in the last election.
However, Accord’s Oyo State Secretary, Hon. Olayinka Dairo, described the inclusion of the party among those slated for deregistration as unjustified, arguing that Accord currently has elected officials in office.
“We have like two or three councillors, and they are also elected. So all the reasons they have been giving that Accord is part of the parties that were deregistered is not realistic; I wonder why Accord is listed,” Dairo said.
He disclosed that the party had already filed an appeal against the judgment in Abuja and would seek a stay of execution pending the determination of the appeal.
“Definitely, 100 per cent. We have appealed the case in Abuja because we saw this coming earlier,” he said.
The judgment followed suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026 filed by the Incorporated Trustees of the National Forum of Former Legislators against the five political parties.
